Faculty Profile
Brian Coughlin
Director of Instrumental Music | Art
Teaching & Leadership
Engaging Curiosity and Creativity
An award-winning musician and educator, Brian Coughlin has been teaching music for nearly three decades. As Millbrook’s director of instrumental music, he has presented master classes and performed as a guest artist at high schools and colleges all over the U.S.
Brian holds a B.A. in Music from Williams College, an M.M. in Double Bass Performance from The Hartt School, an M.M. in Composition from the University of Oregon, and a D.M.A. (ABD) from CUNY Graduate Center. He’s performed with various music groups around the country, including at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Library of Congress. Before joining the faculty at Millbrook, Brian taught music to high schoolers and college students at various institutions in New York and New England.
His goal is to guide students to activate their creativity, rather than inundating them with instructions. By gently engaging students’ curiosity, he inspires them to lifelong learning.
“
I feel successful when I provide the means to inspire students to engage their curiosity and creativity, to unlock their potential, and become lifelong learners.
Highlights
Experience, recognition, and leadership that strengthen teaching across the Millbrook community.
28+
Years in independent school education
Awards
New Music USA, Project Grant Award, 2016
Vocal Essence Essentially Choral Competition Winner, for Sanctus and Lux Aeterna, 2013
Carnegie Hall, Musical Connections Program Winner, 2010
Aaron Copland Foundation, Recording Program Award, 2009
Chamber Music America, Residency Partnership Award, 2009
Mary Flagler Cary Trust, Contemporary Music Project Award, 2008
Bakersfield Symphony Composition Competition Winner for Sextet, 2008
Long Island Arts Council, Song Competition Winner for the song America, 2008
JP Morgan Chase Meet the Composer, Regrant Program Award, 2007
Musical America, Young Performers Career Advancement Program Winner, 2005
The Hartt School, Best of Chamber Music Competition, 2000
Williams College, Robert G. Barrow Prize for Composition, 1995
Williams College, William W. Kleinhandler Prize for Excellence in Music, 1995
Vocal Essence Essentially Choral Competition Winner, for Sanctus and Lux Aeterna, 2013
Carnegie Hall, Musical Connections Program Winner, 2010
Aaron Copland Foundation, Recording Program Award, 2009
Chamber Music America, Residency Partnership Award, 2009
Mary Flagler Cary Trust, Contemporary Music Project Award, 2008
Bakersfield Symphony Composition Competition Winner for Sextet, 2008
Long Island Arts Council, Song Competition Winner for the song America, 2008
JP Morgan Chase Meet the Composer, Regrant Program Award, 2007
Musical America, Young Performers Career Advancement Program Winner, 2005
The Hartt School, Best of Chamber Music Competition, 2000
Williams College, Robert G. Barrow Prize for Composition, 1995
Williams College, William W. Kleinhandler Prize for Excellence in Music, 1995
National
Hartt School of Music, Composition Workshop and Composer Readings, Hartford, CT
Marlboro College, Composer Readings and Mentoring, VT
Minnesota State University, Master Class in Composition, Moorhead, MN
Penn State Erie, Master Class in Composition, PA
Portland State University, Composition Workshop and Composer Readings, OR
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Guest Lecture on American Music, Durant, OK
University of Idaho, Master Class in Bass Performance, Moscow, ID
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Master Class in Chamber Music
Marlboro College, Composer Readings and Mentoring, VT
Minnesota State University, Master Class in Composition, Moorhead, MN
Penn State Erie, Master Class in Composition, PA
Portland State University, Composition Workshop and Composer Readings, OR
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Guest Lecture on American Music, Durant, OK
University of Idaho, Master Class in Bass Performance, Moscow, ID
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Master Class in Chamber Music
Scoring the Millbrook experience.
Musicians thrive at Millbrook, enjoying daily opportunities to compose, record, perform, and appreciate music. Many of those opportunities are orchestrated by Brian, who graciously shares his expertise and acclaim with the next generation of musical stars.
